Social Forum Urges Putin to Ratify Kyoto Protocol

Environmental, Health and Economic Benefits of Global Warming Treaty Highlighted

Posted: 08-Oct-2003; Updated: 31-Jul-2007

The Civil Society Round Table, organized jointly by Environmental Defense and the Moscow-based Center for Russian Environmental Policy, highlighted the treaty's health, environmental, social and economic benefits for Russia and underscored the broad support that the treaty enjoys across the Russian Federation. Widely-respected Russian experts presented analyses showing that the Kyoto treaty's emissions trading market could spur new investment in environmentally friendlier technologies and processes across the country's vast technologically aged infrastructure, achieving dramatic pollution reductions while boosting Russian productivity and economic growth. Russian business leaders presented statements expressing strong support for the Kyoto accord.

The world's top climate scientists urged Mr. Putin to bring Kyoto into force swiftly, for unless greenhouse gas pollution is curbed soon, the consequences for Russian agriculture could be quite serious. The scientists also cautioned that the rapid warming which the Arctic is already experiencing could undermine the nation's infrastructure, particularly far north, where much of Russia's oil reserves are located.

Meanwhile, a very different atmosphere was evident at the parallel government-organized World Conference on Climate Change (WCCC). In a set of events reminiscent of the Soviet era, scientists and economists who spoke of their support for Kyoto found that their microphones were repeatedly cut off, and the floor was given to other "experts" who argued that global warming isn't occurring and that ratification of Kyoto would plunge Russia into poverty. Anti-Kyoto demonstrators outside one of the side events turned out to be paid by an unknown entity to disrupt the proceedings, but they left before the television cameras showed up.

Scientists, economists and policy-makers whose progressive views were shut out of the WCCC in turn joined the Social Forum in ever-growing numbers. By the end of the week, Social Forum participants unanimously agreed - with a burst of applause - to a strong summary statement affirming the scientific evidence of the Earth's warming and of the impacts brought about by climate change on Russia and the world, and called urgently for entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. "Unless we act now, forced adaptation to the consequences of climate change in the near future may become an intolerable burden on humanity," the concluding statement read.

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Closing press conference at the Social Forum. From the left: Viktor Danilov-Danilian, former Russian Minister of the Environment; Dr. Alexander Golub, Environmental Defense Economist; Prof. Alexey Yablokov, Chairman, Center for Russian Environmental Policy; Peter Goldmark, Director of Environmental Defense's Global and Regional Air and Energy Program; and a translator.

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The Kyoto Protocol requires industrialized nations to limit their greenhouse gas emissions to a legally binding level beginning in 2008, with a target of reducing each nation?s emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other contributors to global warming below 1990 emissions levels. The treaty also establishes a powerful market incentive - through emissions trading and banking - for nations and firms to meet or even better these targets. With over 180 countries already signed onto Kyoto, ratification by Russia would kick-start the treaty into effect. [The United States, the world?s leading emitter of greenhouse gases, has been pulled out of the accord by the Bush administration, which has consistently rejected the scientific evidence that industrial emissions are the primary cause for the Earth's rising temperature.]

"The Social Forum demonstrated the strong support of Russian scientists, economic experts, local and community groups, and business for prompt ratification of the Kyoto Protocol," said Dr. Alexander Golub, senior economist from Moscow's Higher School of Economics and Environmental Defense.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has previously expressed his support for Russia's participation in Kyoto, disappointed some observers at the opening of the Conference when his comments suggested a wait-and-see approach to taking action on global warming. Putin's economic adviser Andrei Illarionov raised eyebrows further when he told a press conference that the goal of doubling the country's gross domestic product over 10 years would raise the nation's emissions of greenhouse gases to 104 percent of 1990 levels, putting it in breach of the treaty. "But Russia isn't going to stop at this level, so the carbon dioxide level will be much higher," he said.

But while Putin did not reiterate his earlier assurances that Russia would ratify soon, he did not entirely accede to the pressures of some economic interests, telling the Conference that Moscow would "be reluctant to make decisions on just financial considerations. We should be guided primarily by more noble ideas rather than the consideration of mundane, quick economic benefit." Putin went on to state that Russia's ultimate decision would be consistent with its national interest. Furthermore, Russia currently faces, before the end of the year, elections in the State Duma (the nation?s parliamentary body), and Presidential elections in the spring. No doubt these events will dominate Russian political life in the coming months.

A Civil Society

The lack of a ratification announcement by Putin was met with criticism by other nations, scientists and environmentalists, which was voiced quite bluntly by an editorial in the Russian Journal (9/30/03):

"It seems unlikely that Russia would benefit from a chaotic global climate, whatever quip Putin may like to trot out on the desirability of having to buy fewer fur coats.

"Global warming is a serious danger recognized by almost every competent observer not linked in some way to special interests that benefit from the emissions of the gasses that cause it. And it is not a local phenomenon; this is no mere hurricane or earthquake, however catastrophic they may be on the local level. It has the potential to do great harm to us all.

"We hope the Russian government takes heed of that rather obvious fact."

Summing up, Dr. Golub said, "We are confident that as President Putin appreciates the significant environmental, economic and health benefits that Kyoto Protocol participation can deliver to the Russian people, he will send the Protocol to the Duma for ratification."

Find Out More

• Climate Talks End Without Result - BBC News article (10/03/03)
• Global Warming 'Will Hurt Russia' - New Scientist article (10/03/03)
• The Kremlin's Kyoto Game - Radio Netherlands article (10/01/03)
• Article: Russia Opens Kyoto Doors While U.S. Slams Them Shut (9/29/03)
• Press Release: Putin Opens Door to Ratification of Kyoto Protocol at Conference (9/29/03)
• To learn more about the Moscow Roundtable, click here.